| 119 COMMUNITY Catholic Diocese of Dunedin: St Josephs Operated by our skilled and knowledgeable sta , we have a comprehensive range of modern plant and equipment to fulfill all your needs. Residential Subdivisions Commercial Developments Drainage Demolition Residential Site & Foundation Preparation Driveways & Landscaping Rock Walls P 0800 773 2002 E admin@pse.co.nz W www.pse.co.nz Local, experienced and here to help (03) 434 8020 www.surveywaitaki.co.nz Building? Subdividing? Resource Consent? Need boundary pegs? surveying•planning•engineering Survey Waitaki Cost Managers | Quantity Surveyors | Cost Engineers Auckland | Wellington | Christchurch | Dunedin www.rawlinsons.co.nz Proud to work alongside Catholic Diocese of Dunedin T T Alexia Anderson New home for Oamaru school The move to Taward St, North Oamaru, will also bring St Joseph’s and St Kevin’s College under a single combined board of governance. A new chapter is taking shape for St Joseph’s School, Oamaru, with construction well underway on its new home, within the grounds of St Kevin’s College. The relocation from the school’s long-standing site at Usk Street follows a need to improve its existing buildings, while providing an opportunity to create learning environments aligned with current Ministry of Education standards. Rather than upgrading the existing facilities, the project will establish a purpose-designed primary school with capacity for up to 300 students, to be developed across two phases. The move to Taward St, North Oamaru, will also bring St Joseph’s and St Kevin’s College under a single combined board of governance, allowing the schools to share community, curriculum and strategic goals. However, Catholic Diocese of Dunedin property manager Craig Paterson says St Joseph’s will retain its own identity. Both schools share a Dominican and Catholic heritage, with the combined governance model intended to support smoother transitions for students moving from primary through to secondary education. The project is led by architect and St Kevin’s alumnus Desmond Prisk from Desmond Prisk Architects, with backing from the local parish, the Bishop of Dunedin and the Catholic Education Office. Site preparation started late last year, including demolition of redundant workshop buildings, construction of a retaining wall and upgrades to stormwater, foul sewer and electrical infrastructure. A new carpark has also been constructed to accommodate increased vehicle volumes. David Fridd Building Ltd, of Timaru, was awarded the construction contract in May this year, with foundations, piles and floor decking now in place for the six classrooms and administration block. The architectural brief is focused on creating a school that is economical to build and operate without compromising robustness and durability required in a school environment. The administration building will include reception, a meeting room, sick bay, staff cafeteria and toilets, while three teaching blocks will each provide two classrooms, shared breakout space and toilets. Accessibility and ease of movement across the site are also key elements for the overall benefit of students, staff and whānau. At the centre of the new school will be a Creo-designed playground and half-court sports turf, with high-quality rubber safety surfacing to provide a dedicated space for play and physical activity. “St Joseph’s students and teachers will have access to well-appointed and modern learning spaces and administration facilities situated within a long-established Catholic educational precinct, with elevated views and expansive green spaces providing a unique environment for learning and faith,” Craig says. The transition has been supported by a thorough consultation process involving school staff, whānau and the parish, with the aim of addressing concerns around change while reinforcing the benefits of shared governance and the continued independent identity of each school. Craig says with the upgrade of site services complete, the school remains on target for completion in mid-2027.
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